Harmony Hub Health
Functional Medicine, Hormone Health and Weight Loss with Michele Postol, CRNP
Harmony Hub Health
Long COVID: The Brain Health Zombie Apocalypse
Something peculiar is happening across the globe. People who recovered from COVID-19 are walking around like shells of their former selves - present but not fully alive. Their energy depleted, their minds foggy, and their once-sharp wits dulled to a frustrating crawl. It's what I've come to call a "slow-motion zombie apocalypse," and it's affecting millions who struggle with long COVID's devastating cognitive impacts.
That "where am I and what was I doing?" moment becomes a daily battle for long COVID sufferers. Brain fog makes concentration feel like herding cats. Short-term memory fails, leaving you calling your oven a "hot food box" mid-sentence. Anxiety, depression, persistent headaches, and chaotic sleep patterns turn everyday life into an exhausting obstacle course.
Why does the virus wreak such havoc on our brains? The culprits appear to be inflammation overload, compromised blood flow, possible autoimmune reactions, and mitochondrial dysfunction that leaves your cellular energy factories struggling to keep up. Functional medicine offers targeted testing to pinpoint these issues - from comprehensive neurotransmitter analysis to my favorite, the Organic Acid Test (OATS), which reveals mitochondrial problems, nutrient deficiencies, and gut imbalances affecting brain health.
The good news? Your brain can recover with the right approach. My six-point recovery plan includes eating anti-inflammatory foods, proper hydration (IV infusions can help!), carefully monitored supplements like omega-3s and adaptogens, gentle movement that increases cerebral blood flow, prioritizing quality sleep, and effective stress management techniques. When these strategies aren't enough, personalized functional medicine interventions can identify hidden imbalances and create targeted solutions.
Ready to clear the fog and reclaim your mental clarity? Connect with me at HarmonyHubHealth.com to begin your journey back to cognitive wellness. Your brain deserves to work for you, not against you.
Welcome to Harmony Hub Health, where my mission is to provide comprehensive, affordable, integrative care that addresses the root cause of health issues. At the Hub, the focus is on individual patient journeys. I strive to optimize health, vitality and longevity, fostering a community where each person can thrive in body, mind and spirit. So if you've ever walked into a room and forgotten why you're there, you might chalk it up to stress or a bad night's sleep. But for millions dealing with long COVID, a bad night's sleep. But for millions dealing with long COVID, that where am I and what was I doing? Moment is a daily struggle, except it's paired with headaches, exhaustion and the overwhelming urge to nap in the middle of life. It is like a slow motion zombie apocalypse. I've been using this analogy for a couple of years now. You know people walking around, present but not fully alive. I feel like maybe it's their shell, but they have kind of slowly just hollowed out. Their energy is depleted. People that used to be very sharp now move very sluggish. They're brain fogged, just a very slow pace. And the world is full of functioning shells, of people who, thanks to long COVID, feel like they're running on a half-dead battery. But don't you worry, there is hope for reversing this outbreak. You know scientists are still piecing together why COVID-19 seems to have a personal vendetta against cognitive function, but here's what we know so far. You know the virus can trigger inflammation. That's one of the first things I noticed working in the ICU was the inflammation, how that's what was bringing people down. It messes with blood flow I saw that so, so prominent with COVID-19 and it throws your neurotransmitters into chaos.
Speaker 1:So here are some of the frustrating effects of long COVID. One of them is brain fog. So this is the ultimate mental speed bump. If you've ever read the same sentence three times and still had no clue what it said, welcome to the club. Brain fog makes concentration feel like herding cats, turning even simple tasks into epic challenges. And if you've ever forgotten a word mid-sentence, I almost just did it right there and ended up calling your oven a hot food box. I've done that. That's long COVID at work.
Speaker 1:Short-term memory struggles can make conversations, appointments and everyday tasks a struggle. And then one minute you're fine. The next you're irrationally irritated because someone chewed too loud. Anxiety, depression and irritability are common long COVID side effects, thanks to lingering neurological disruptions. And if your brain now feels like it came with a built-in jackhammer. You're not alone. Persistent headaches and migraines are common, possibly due to inflammation or blood vessel changes. And if you can't sleep when you need to and you can't stay awake when you should, long COVID loves to turn normal sleep cycles into a circus act, leaving you perpetually exhausted and mentally foggy.
Speaker 1:But why does this happen? We don't have all of the answers yet, but the researchers are suspecting a few mix of factors. One is the inflammation overload. So COVID-19 can cause ongoing brain inflammation, slowing down cognitive function. There's the blood flow issue. If your brain isn't getting enough oxygen, it's no wonder why it feels and runs sluggish and the immune system might go rogue and start attacking healthy brain tissue. So now there could be an autoimmune part to long COVID and then just that mitochondrial meltdown. You know energy producing cells struggle to keep up and that leads to fatigue and foggy thinking.
Speaker 1:So if you're dealing with lingering cognitive issues, functional medicine testing can help identify underlying imbalances and target solutions. So some of my favorite key tests to shed light on what's happening if you feel like you're suffering from COVID-19. One is a comprehensive neurotransmitter test. This evaluates your dopamine, your serotonin and other brain chemicals to pinpoint imbalances contributing to brain fog and mood changes. The OATS test, the organic acid test, is my absolute favorite because it does identify mitochondrial dysfunction, but not just that. It shows nutrient deficiencies, it shows gut dysbiosis and things that could be affecting your brain health. One of my favorite testing for everything, as you know, is micronutrient testing so we can assess levels of essential vitamins and minerals, including B12, magnesium and zinc. These are all really important for cognitive function. And then checking inflammatory markers, for elevated cytokines, for that C-reactive protein or other markers that signal chronic inflammation. We can also do hormone and adrenal testing, because those impact stress, energy and your brain function. And, of course, since gut health and brain function are so connected on that gut-brain axis, identifying food sensitivities and microbial imbalances can really be the key in reducing inflammation. That could be shown in the GI map.
Speaker 1:So how do you get that brain rehab and how do you have a comeback like a post-virus plan? You don't have to stay stuck in the cognitive fog forever. Here are some science-backed ways to give your brain the TLC it desperately needs. Okay, there's six of them that I have listed here. Number one is eat like your brain depends on it, because it kind of does Anti-inflammatory foods. Think of blueberries, turmeric, salmon, leafy greens. They can help reduce brain inflammation and boost your cognitive function.
Speaker 1:Number two hydrate or hibernate. Dehydration makes brain fog worse, so keep those fluids going. You can even come and see me for an IV infusion. You know bonus points if you add electrolytes for that extra brain power. Number three supplement your sanity. Omega-3s, magnesium, the B vitamins.
Speaker 1:Adaptogens like ashwagandha can really help support focus, memory and stress resilience. Just make sure you take those monitored. Some people just start taking it, not really being mindful of dosing or without taking any breaks, so you want to make sure you take this monitored. Some people just start taking it, not really being mindful of dosing or without taking any breaks, so you want to make sure you're talking to a professional if you are going to start those adaptogens. Number four is move it or lose it. Even gentle exercise like yoga, walking, stretching can increase blood flow to the brain and reduce that inflammation. You do not need to run a marathon, you just need to get moving. Your cells need that. Number five is prioritize sleep like it is your job. A solid sleep routine, less screen time before bed and relaxation techniques can improve sleep quality and give your brain the overnight reset it craves.
Speaker 1:I love the Calm app. I'm not affiliated with them, but I definitely promote them. Number six chill out, and I mean literally. Stress makes everything worse. So deep breathing, meditation using that Calm app, mindfulness helps calm the nervous system and clear some of the fog. There is some great breathing techniques you can use. I know we talked about that. You can go to the previous podcast about mindfulness.
Speaker 1:That is all good, but if your brain still feels like it's running on low battery mode despite your best efforts, doing those six things, then it's time to call in reinforcements. That's where Harmony Hub Health comes in things. Then it's time to call in reinforcements. That's where Harmony Hub Health comes in, because functional medicine approaches, personalized testing, iv nutrition and targeted therapies can really help identify hidden imbalances and get you back on track. So long, covid might have thrown your brain a curveball, but with the right tools, you can bounce back stronger. Whether it's tweaking your diet, dialing in sleep or exploring functional medicine solutions, every small step adds up. You deserve mental clarity, sharp memory and a brain that works for you, not against you. So let's clear the fog and get you back to feeling like yourself again. You can book a consultation for functional medicine at HarmonyHubHealthcom. You can send me an email at Michelle with one M, with one M, with one L, m, I C H E L E at HarmonyHubHealthcom, or you can come and see me in person at Monarch Beauty and Spa here in Manchester, maryland.
Speaker 1:This podcast was for entertainment and informational purposes only While I dove into the eerie aftermath of COVID-19 and its zombie-like effects on brain health. I am not your medical provider, I just play one on this podcast, so any health tips, opinions or sarcastic doomsday scenarios I share in this episode should not replace any actual medical advice from your licensed professional. But if you are experiencing long COVID symptoms like brain fog, or feel like you've joined the walking dead, please consult a health care provider, preferably one that still has a pulse. I would love to be your provider so you can contact me at Harmony Hub Health. So you can now take off your tinfoil hats and go stock up on electrolytes and I hope you very well. Health. I'll talk to you soon.